Category: Events in Goa

Events in Goa

BCIFF 2026 Set to Showcase 73+ Films from 38 Countries in Margao

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Minister for Public Works Department and Vice Chairman of BCIFF, Shri Digambar Kamat, briefed the media on the upcoming 3rd edition of the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF) 2026, scheduled to take place from 13th to 17th January 2026 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Goa.

BCIFF 2026 is poised to be its most expansive edition yet, with participation from over 38 countries and a curated lineup of more than 73 international and Indian films, spanning live-action and animated cinema. The festival continues its mission of introducing young audiences to meaningful storytelling, diverse cultures, and cinematic excellence from across the globe.

The media interaction also saw the presence of Shri Dipak Bandekar, Director of the Department of Information and Publicity; Smt. Sindhu Prabhu Desai, Deputy Director of Education; and Shri Siddhesh Samant, Information Assistant. Adding depth to the announcement, Festival Directors Shri Bipin Khedekar and Shri Siddhesh Naik shared insights into the festival’s vision, its steady growth over the years, and the thoughtfully curated programming designed to engage, inspire, and educate children through cinema.

With its growing international footprint and strong institutional support, BCIFF 2026 reinforces Goa’s position as a vibrant cultural hub, while nurturing young minds through the power of films that entertain, inform, and inspire.

Events in Goa

Lokotsav Festival 2026 to Celebrate Culture at Kala Academy; Volunteers Invited

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Art & Culture, Government of Goa, will be organising the much-awaited Lokotsav Festival 2026 from January 20 to January 29, 2026, at the Kala Academy Complex, Panaji. The festival is expected to draw large crowds, offering a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage.

Lokotsav 2026 will feature a wide range of cultural programmes, live performances, and a grand Handicrafts and Craft Bazaar, showcasing traditional art forms and craftsmanship from across the country. A special pavilion highlighting the national theme “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” will be set up at the Kala Academy premises, along with a curated exhibition at the Art Gallery.

Adding an interactive dimension to the festival, the department will also organise craft-making workshops for the general public and art enthusiasts, offering hands-on exposure to traditional skills and creative practices.

In preparation for the event, the Directorate of Art & Culture, Sanskruti Bhavan, Panaji, has invited applications from college students, local NGOs engaged in social work, and youth aged between 20 and 35 years from Panaji and nearby areas to serve as Volunteers for the festival.

Selected volunteers will be required to serve for 11 days, from January 19 to January 29, 2026, during the evening hours of 3.00 pm to 10.30 pm. A stipend will be paid to all volunteers for their services.

Interested applicants must submit their applications on plain paper, along with Aadhaar card details, to the Office of the Directorate of Art & Culture, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa, on or before January 14, 2026, during office hours. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lokotsav Festival 2026 promises to be a grand celebration of art, culture, and community participation—offering volunteers a unique opportunity to be part of one of Goa’s most prominent cultural events.

Events in Goa

Transcend Goa 2026: India’s First Transmedia Conclave to Debut in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa is set to witness a landmark moment for India’s creative industries with the launch of Transcend Goa 2026, the country’s first-ever Transmedia Conclave. Organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and Goa Future Proof, with support from the Government of Goa, the pilot edition will be held on January 15 and 16, 2026, at the historic Marquinez Palace in Panjim.

Envisioned as a future-facing platform by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Transcend Goa 2026 aims to bring together leading creative minds from cinema, publishing, gaming, and artificial intelligence to explore how storytelling can evolve beyond a single medium. The conclave seeks to spark conversations around building Indian-origin transmedia intellectual properties and taking cinema beyond the screen into immersive, multi-platform experiences.

At its core, the conclave is designed to converge stakeholders across industries and spotlight case studies that demonstrate how Indian content can successfully transition across formats — from books and films to games, digital worlds, and emerging technologies. The initiative also places a strong focus on championing homegrown content and enabling Indian stories to reach global audiences through collaboration and innovation.

The two-day conclave will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, and in-depth case studies led by an influential lineup of speakers. These include Sajan Raj Kurup, Chairman of Creativeland Asia Group; producer Monisha Advani; filmmakers Raja Krishna Menon, Om Raut, and Q; along with industry veterans Afsar Zaidi and Caleb Franklin. Special presentations will also be delivered by Vipul Agrawal, founder of India’s leading AI-driven content company; Vignesh Raja, co-founder of A.R. Rahman’s META project; and renowned transmedia specialist Jean Pierre Magro, among others.

Speaking about the vision behind the conclave, Harish Rao, organiser of Transcend Goa 2026, said that Indian stories have always had the power to transcend cultures. He noted that the conclave aims to create a collaborative platform where creators, technologists, and industry leaders can collectively reimagine how stories are told, experienced, and scaled globally across multiple formats.

With plans to evolve into a larger, more forward-focused platform in the years ahead, Transcend Goa has been crafted to place Goa firmly on the global creative economy map. Registrations for Transcend Goa 2026 are now open.

Events in Goa

Manoj Bajpayee to Join NoMoZo 7.0 as Porvorim Gears Up for Its People-Centric Street Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Porvorim Rising is set to bring the community together once again with the seventh edition of NoMoZo, scheduled for January 11, 2026. Designed as a people-centric street festival, NoMoZo 7.0 celebrates shared public spaces by blending fitness, culture, creativity, and community engagement. Adding to the excitement this year, renowned actor Manoj Bajpayee will be joining residents at the festival.

NoMoZo encourages citizens of all ages to step out of their homes, connect with their neighbourhoods, and engage with public spaces in meaningful and inclusive ways. Families, youth, artists, innovators, and local community groups are expected to participate in a day-long programme that focuses on movement, learning, creativity, and cultural expression.

Speaking ahead of the event, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, reflected on the origins of the initiative. He shared that NoMoZo was inspired by childhood memories of streets as places to play, meet friends, and build neighbourhood connections. According to him, the festival recreates that sense of togetherness by encouraging people of all ages to interact, engage, and rediscover the joy of community life through people-first public spaces.

Expressing his excitement about participating, Manoj Bajpayee said that what draws him to NoMoZo is the simplicity with which it brings people together, adding that he is looking forward to being part of the celebration.

NoMoZo 7.0 will feature a wide range of interactive zones, including Kids, Art, Heritage, Astronomy, Fitness, Martial Arts, Boxing, Health, Youth, IT & Science, Performance & Dance, Influencer, and Karaoke zones. Free stalls will also be provided to local vendors and artisans, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on inclusivity and community participation.

With growing public involvement year after year, NoMoZo continues to strengthen Porvorim’s community spirit by transforming everyday streets into vibrant spaces of connection, creativity, and collective celebration.

Events in Goa

Green Glow Environmental Festival: Alexyz Fernandes to Receive Maria Claudete Pinto Memorial Green Commitment Award

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Environmentalist and cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes will be conferred the first Maria Claudete Pinto Memorial Green Commitment Award at the Green Glow Environmental Festival to be held in Panaji on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The award recognises his sustained contribution to environmental awareness through cartoon-art, journalism, and innovative initiatives such as the annual Plant Exhibition at Siolim.

The one-day environmental festival is being organised by the Green Ray Foundation in association with the Goa State Biodiversity Board and the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Goa. The event aims to create a vibrant platform for dialogue, learning, and creative engagement around environmental issues.

As part of the festival, Suhas Premkumar’s award-winning film Little Planet: A Tale of Frogs will be screened alongside journalist-filmmaker Arti Kulkarni’s documentary on Olive Ridley turtles, Turtles with Antenna. The programme also includes a mobile video-editing workshop conducted by journalist Niraj Prabhu, green skilling sessions, and an exhibition featuring climate change posters and wallpapers prepared by Eco Clubs from schools across Goa.

Additional activities planned for the day include training in video-editing skills, prize distribution for the EcoStar competition, and interactive workshops aimed at encouraging environmental responsibility among young participants. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Pradeep Sarmokkadam, Member Secretary of the Goa State Biodiversity Board.

Details of the festival were shared at a press conference addressed by Green Ray Foundation’s managing trustee Tomazinho Cardozo, along with trustees Pravin Sabnis and Willy Goes. They highlighted that the festival is designed to be inclusive and accessible, bringing together students, teachers, researchers, journalists, filmmakers, and environmentally conscious citizens.

The Green Glow Environmental Festival is free and open to all. Interested participants are requested to send their names via WhatsApp to 9822137958, 9822170102, or 9422640141.

The Green Ray Foundation was established in 1990 by the late Maria Claudete Pinto, a committed environmentalist who envisioned empowering students with values of environmental preservation and guiding society towards sustainable, eco-friendly living. The festival and the newly instituted memorial award continue to carry forward her legacy of grassroots environmental action and education.